# Bridge and Lock Tenders

> Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bridge-and-lock-tenders
- SOC code: 53-6011.00
- Career family: Transportation
- Median annual pay: $57,700 (10th percentile $28,090, 90th percentile $75,360)
- Projected growth: Decline, -2.3%
- Openings a year: 300
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 86 |
| Investigative (I) | 23 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 13 |
| Enterprising (E) | 26 |
| Conventional (C) | 56 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 72/100)
- Getting Information (importance 69/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 66/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 63/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 61/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 59/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 57/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 55/100)

## Skills

Monitoring, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension

## Knowledge

Public Safety and Security, English Language, Telecommunications, Education and Training, Transportation, Customer and Personal Service, Administrative, Administration and Management, Mechanical, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Bridge Crew Member, Bridge Leverman, Bridge Opener, Bridge Operator, Bridge Saw Operator, Bridge Tender, Bridgeman, Crossing Tender, Crossing Watchman, Dam Attendant

## Related careers

- [Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/railroad-brake-signal-and-switch-operators-and-locomotive-firers): $68,840 median pay
- [Motorboat Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorboat-operators): $47,520 median pay
- [Hoist and Winch Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hoist-and-winch-operators): $56,450 median pay
- [Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rail-yard-engineers-dinkey-operators-and-hostlers): $60,600 median pay
- [Locomotive Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/locomotive-engineers): $81,410 median pay
- [Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/captains-mates-and-pilots-of-water-vessels): $92,460 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.